Breast milk is the perfect food for the baby, and its benefits extend well beyond basic nutrition. In addition to containing all the essential vitamins and nutrients your baby needs in the first six months of life, breast milk is loaded with disease-fighting substances that protect your baby from illness.

The Amazing Benefits of Breastfeeding:

Breast milk keeps your baby healthy

Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby ward off viruses and bacteria, as it contains immune factors such as secretory IgA (only available in breast milk) that help in preventing allergic reactions to food by providing a layer of protection to the baby’s intestinal tract. 

While it is easily digestible than infant formula, it is also sterile, lowers risk of acute ear infections, allergic bronchitis and diarrhoea. 

Feeding mother’s milk helps baby from developing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Studies have proven that preterm infants with extremely low birth weight who received breast milk improved in their mental and physical development than those who were fed formula milk. 

Breastfeeding has been linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood and they gain the right amount of weight as they grow. 

It plays a significant role in the prevention of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and start their lives with more diverse microbes that protect them from obesity, allergies, and lowers risk of developing chronic diseases later in life. 

Why is breastfeeding important for the mother?

While we all agree that breast feeding offers incredible benefits to the new born, it also leaves a similar positive impact on the new moms. 

Breastfeeding not only helps your baby to grow into a healthier child, but it also helps the mother in various ways. 

It is amazing way to foster a unique bonding the physical closeness, skin-to-skin touching, and eye contact all help your baby feel secure. 

It burns extra calories making it easier to return to the pre-pregnancy weight. 

As per the study published by The National Institute of Health woman who breastfeeds had a lower risk of postpartum depression. 

Breastfeeding mothers lower their risk of breast and ovarian cancer. It also lowers the of developing osteoporosis. 

When and How much to Feed:

Breastfeed soon after birth and do it frequently 8 to 12 times in a 24-hour period. 

Hold your baby skin-to-skin. Do not give a pacifier or bottle until breastfeeding is well established. 

Give only breast milk. It is available wherever and whenever your baby needs it and available at the right temperature, clean and free.